Beatrice hadn't expected things to turn out this way. The day had been hectic from start to finish; things were always hectic when visitors were due, and Beatrice had been secretly relieved to hear that bad weather had blocked travel from Upper Easlow, meaning that only the Arrelstead Royal Family were able to visit. Things were far easier to deal with when it was Arrelstead visiting. She always loved spending time with Percy, one of her closest friends in all of the realms.

After business had concluded for the day, she'd been able to spend a rare moment of downtime talking to Percy, and that was when he'd mentioned that he enjoyed playing the flute in his spare time.

That was when things had changed. All she'd said was that she loved the flute! She certainly hadn't expected him to suddenly give her a demonstration!

Before she'd even realised what was happening, she'd been pulled out into the gardens by a grinning Percy - "Just... wait here a second! I'll be right back!" - and, when he returned a few minutes later with a small case in his hands, she simply watched in bewilderment as he began carefully assembling his flute, which he'd apparently brought with him.

It truly was a wonder to her, how three pieces of metal could combine to create something so wonderful. Percy was able to create some of the most incredible sounds she'd ever heard, using nothing more than the bronze-coloured instrument in his hands and his own breath. The flute really was such a beautiful instrument. Percy looked so genuinely happy when he was playing the flute, too.

As she watched the scene in front of her, she let out a soft sigh. Watching Percy play with his eyes closed, his lips pursed together, hair fluttering softly in the cool evening breeze as the sun began to set around them both... after the chaos of the day, the moment felt so special to her.

If only I could play the flute.

Ever since she was a young child, Beatrice had always been interested in learning how to play the flute, but she'd never wanted it more desperately than she did in that moment. She couldn't stop imagining it. Just the thought of standing in the gardens while gentle airy melodies floated in the breeze, mingled with the birdsong and the ripples of the fountain as the flowers bloomed-

The words left her lips before she even realised.

"Ah, it's a shame..."

The music stopped abruptly. Percy paused, lowering the flute from his lips, as the spell was broken.

"A shame? What's a shame?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern as he turned to look at her. "Did... did I do something wrong?"

Beatrice froze. She had not meant to say that out loud.

"Ah, no, not at all! I'm sorry!" she said quickly, feeling her cheeks heat up as Percy peered down at her. "I didn't mean to say that! I just..."

Oh, this was so embarrassing. How on Aulber could she explain this?

"Um, I can stop," murmured Percy, averting his gaze awkwardly. "Sorry. I, um, I guess I should have asked first, instead of just... getting my flute out. Sorry."

"No!" blurted out Beatrice, eyes wide, as she quickly stood up from the bench. "No, you don't have to stop! I love it! It's perfect. I was just..."

She trailed off for a second. Why had she even stood up? All she'd done was brought herself closer to Percy, and he was still looking down on her. Oh, how she wished she was taller sometimes.

"I just... wish I knew how to play the flute," she finished, her voice quiet. She lowered her head as she sat back down on the bench, staring directly at the ground in front of her. "I didn't mean to say anything, I was just... lost in thought. Thinking about music. Grace and I never had any music lessons. I really wish I could have learned..."

"Oh," said Percy. He paused for a moment, then quickly moved over to the bench, sitting down at Beatrice's side. "Yeah. I can see why... yeah, that's a shame."

The silence continued for a few moments, before Beatrice let out another sigh.

"And now I've ruined this wonderful moment, haven't I?" she said softly, her voice even smaller than before. "It was so lovely. You're like a professional!"

Percy blushed, hesitating for a moment, before finally finding his voice.

"I... um, thank you!" he stammered. "I mean, I'm not- not on a professional level, but... I'm glad. Um, glad that you think so."

He awkwardly began to fidget with his flute, struggling to come up with the right words for the moment.

"And, um..." he eventually continued, turning to smile at Beatrice, "I know you said it's a shame, but... it doesn't have to be! I mean... ugh, I worded that wrong. I could teach you! Or... or someone else can! It's never too late to learn."

"Ah. That would be wonderful," Beatrice replied wistfully.

It was a sweet thought, but Beatrice knew that her role as Crown Princess didn't leave much free time for anything considered superfluous - and her father would definitely not approve of her wasting time on creative endeavours when there were still so many gaps in her knowledge. Still, the idea appealed to her greatly. Flute lessons. Maybe she'd be able to learn one day, once her education was completed. That would be nice. It'd be something for her to look forward to in the future, when she was finally free from politics and etiquette classes...

She was snapped out of her thoughts by Percy's tentative voice.

"Do you... want me to play again? Or I can just..."

"Ah, please do!" she replied quickly, looking up at him with a gentle smile on her face. "If you're still okay with it, of course. I'd love that!"

He beamed back down at her, then quickly stood up again and took a step away, delicately raising the flute to his lips once more. After a few wavering false starts, the gentle sound of his playing began to fill the garden yet again.

Beatrice closed her eyes, smiling, as she listened to the elegant melody.

Yes. Maybe, some day, I'll also know how to play the flute.